A Lot More than Smooth...
5
By atrainent
"For friends who are skeptical about Smooth Jazz, [Sessions] is a great starting point... it will even catch the ears of younger music fans, especially the ones who are into jam bands and extended solos...This is the perfect set to get them hooked and to show off everything wonderful that the genre has to offer.
The quality of the musicianship and the featured soloists add new dimensions to Braun favorites. 'Cadillac Slim' becomes an extended funk jam with Braun absolutely wailing on trumpet and handing off a solo to Jimmy Roberts on sax while Andre Berry’s bass provides a lowdown foundation. The live setting adds a new level of emotional intensity and warmth to the ballads, especially Braun and Richard Elliot’s duet on the beautiful “Notorious.” “TGIF,” the project’s new song, brings a similar groove with contributions from Dave Koz and Brian Culbertson. The highlights that showcase what these guys can do when they get to cut loose are toward the end... with some fusion flavored improvisation in “Coolsville” that dispels any myth that these guys don’t have the chops to go beyond smooth."
- SmoothViews
